What's happening in Australia on climate, nature, and sustainability.

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NATIONAL

The Net Zero Economy Authority has released new research on how to rehabilitate and reuse old industrial sites - including former coal mines, and old coal and gas power stations.

The research study was done by Urbis, Norton Rose Fulbright and Indigenous Energy Australia. 

"Mining land and coal- and gas-fired power station closures present significant opportunities for long-term economic net zero economy potential and innovation," the study says.

But it warns that early, careful planning is essential to take advantage of the big opportunities on these big sites.

It uses the 2017 sudden closure of the Hazelwood coal power station and coal mine in Victoria's Latrobe Valley as a case study in missed opportunities.

The study notes that in 2015 Hazelwood owner Engie estimated mine closure and rehabilitation costs at $73 million. However, by 2017 estimated costs had jumped to more than $743 million.

ARENA is providing $13 million to five projects - four focused on electrification, and one on biochar:

• BioCarbon, which produces biochar for use in steelmaking, will receive $4.80 million to construct a facility producing biochar pellets from waste biomass. It will process about 20,000 tonnes of waste woodchips each year into biochar pellets, and will also produce wood vinegar.
• Aluminium company Capral will receive $3.45 million to replace a 40-year-old gas-fired log furnace with an electric furnace at its Queensland aluminium extrusion facility.
• 4 Pines Brewing will receive $1.77 million to fully electrify its Sydney brewhouse, making it completely fossil gas-free.
• Commercial laundry company Alsco will use its $1.04 million to deploy low-carbon cleaning technology at its new Port Kembla facility.
• Pharmaceuticals company Opella will use its $1.94 million to help it eliminate fossil gas use at its Queensland manufacturing site. 

Transcript is now available of the first hearing of a joint parliamentary inquiry into emerging industries in northern Australia.

Several speakers referred to the Middle East conflict in stressing the importance of biofuels.

Edward Mason, the chief executive of the Jet Zero alliance that is focused on sustainable aviation fuel, described two major biofuel projects under development in northern Australia

"These two projects position northern Australia at the forefront of a new advanced manufacturing industry that could supply over 5% of Australia's jet fuel," he said. 

"Recent oil shocks arising from the conflict in the Middle East are again exposing Australia's vulnerability to imported aviation fuel and diesel," he said. "Sustainable Aviation Fuel and renewable diesel are intermediate drop-in fuels that can be produced domestically using existing infrastructure."

The Australian Energy Markets Commission has released proposals to manage the impacts on gas pipeline businesses of the shift away from fossil gas.

Gas networks would need to show how they are planning for declining fossil gas use, and would need to be more accountable for their spending.

In a submission to a Senate committee inquiry into productivity, DCCEEW has warned that climate change is a growing drag on productivity, because of more frequent and intense hazards, as well as chronic heat and sea level rise.

Meanwhile, in its submission, the Australian Academy of Science backs the establishment of enforceable indoor air quality performance standards in public buildings.

The Academy says this would improve productivity by reducing the transmission of disease, reducing absenteeism, and improving cognitive performance.

Australia has released its latest report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is the first it has submitted since the launch of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022.

"Australia is one of 17 countries in the world described as 'mega diverse', supporting a wide range of ecosystems," the report says.

"This group of countries cover less than 10% of the world’s area but supports more than 70% of its biodiversity. Australia alone supports between 600,000 and 700,000 native species, many which are found nowhere else in the world."

The report says Australia is largely "on track" to meet the Kunming-Montreal targets.

However, two leading ecological scientists - Paul Allan Elton and Hugh Possingham - dispute this.

"Ecosystems are being left to degrade, rare and precious species are sliding toward extinction, and billions of dollars are being used to quietly fund subsidies, including for fossil fuels, which contribute to the very destruction the government claims to be fixing," according to the scientists.

Households and small businesses in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia could see lower electricity prices next financial year, under a draft determination from the Australian Energy Regulator.

The draft determination on a Default Market Offer, would see annual prices for residential customers in these regions falling between 1.3% and 10.1%, and small business prices decreasing between 7.6% and 21.2%.

Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen linked the price reductions to the large amount of cheap renewable electricity now entering the grid.

In EPBC Act developments, DCCEEW has published referrals for:

• Cogency Australia's 500MW/2,000MWh Murch's Corner large battery, to be located near Mortlake, Victoria.
• The Robertstown large battery, to be located near Roberstown, South Australia.
• A 350km transport route for over-size vehicles to take infrastructure from Port Adelaide to the site of WestWind's Lake Victoria wind farm, planned for a site in south-western NSW. The wind farm will have a capacity of up to 1.5GW, and will generate enough power for up to 900,000 homes.

Climate Change Authority Chair Matt Kean has criticised Australian super funds for being "largely absent" as investors in Australian renewable energy projects.

One report estimated that the amount of capital allocated by Australian super funds to climate-related investments was less than 1% of super industry’s total, Kean noted.

In contrast, foreign investors, including pension funds, consider Australia an attractive destination to invest in large-scale wind, solar, and now batteries, he said.

"If there are barriers that discourage you from parking more of your funds in the low-carbon industries in Australia, your collective voice and financial clout can make a difference," he said. "I would encourage you to use that voice to speak up."

CSIRO scientists have demonstrated the world's first proof-of-concept quantum battery, which could pave the way for super-fast charging of electric vehicles, and wireless recharging over long distances.

According to the CSIRO, fully functioning quantum batteries don’t yet exist, but they could transform how we store and use energy in the future. CSIRO is seeking interest from potential development partners.

The Australian Accounting Standards Board, which developed Australia's climate and sustainability disclosure standards, has been appointed to an advisory forum of the International Sustainability Standards Board.

It is also running a one-day workshop on May 4 on meeting the requirements of Australia's climate disclosure standard.

New projects registered to earn ACCU carbon credits include a Wesfarmers Kleenheat energy efficiency project, a Woodside reforestation project, and a project by Victoria's Barwon Region Water Corporation to restore vegetation.

QUEENSLAND

The Queensland government will develop a Statewide Waste and Recycling Infrastructure Plan, to map future capacity needs.

It will also look at technologies to manage residual waste, including waste to energy technologies.

It has given $1.49 million to the Council of Mayors Southeast Queensland (COMSEQ) to continue their investigations into waste to energy.

The state government is also currently developing a new waste strategy and is reviewing the state's waste levy.

Backed by a $4.9 million Queensland government grant, the Salvos have opened Australia's first automated used textile recovery facility, located in Queensland.

The facility uses robotics and AI to sort garments for resale or fibre recycling.

A Queensland parliamentary inquiry into sugarcane bioenergy opportunities in the state will report by the end of the month, and is expected to make recommendations on de-risking investment in biofuels.

Queensland's environment department has issued an environmental enforcement order to Chevron Australia Products Pty Ltd.

However, provisions of the order might not become public for up to 60 days, as they aren't viewable on the public online register.

The Queensland government has launched a market sounding for the $200 million North West Energy Fund, which will back local energy projects along the proposed route of the CopperString transmission project. 

The market sounding will identify potential project partners and will help shape how the fund operates.

NSW

A new NSW government coal industry policy rules out greenfield coal exploration, unless it is near an existing mine site.

The state government will also no longer approve new coal mines, although it is open to allowing extensions of existing mines, "subject to rigorous controls to reduce emissions".

New rules will require major coal mines in NSW to directly reduce fossil methane pollution, which is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, the NSW EPA has announced.

"Reductions in fossil methane emissions will deliver significant climate benefits this decade," the EPA said. 

Under the phase-in of the new requirements, which will start next year, large underground coal mines must:

• flare or use air drained from mines that has high levels of methane, for example by burning it for energy.
• minimise methane leaks from old workings by resealing them with concrete or gravel.
• Install ventilation air methane (VAM) abatement technology, if methane emissions exceed a specified concentration, or achieve an equivalent level of abatement through other methods.

The EPA has dropped an initial proposal to require coal mining companies to use low carbon fuels. It will revisit the possibility of mandating their use after the state's Net Zero Plan is updated.

Coal mining, which unlocks new fossil methane that has been trapped underground for millions of years, accounts for about 30% of the state's methane emissions and contributes about 11% of its total greenhouse gas emissions.

The NSW EPA has released new requirements that will apply to premises that hold EPA licences and which emit more than 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas annually (scope 1 and 2 combined).

These premises – including coal mines, large landfills and other industrial and agricultural sites – represent only 10% of the EPA's total licensees, but produce about half of the state's greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the new requirements, they must annually report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA, starting from next March.

Every three years, they must also report their estimated scopes 1 and 2 emissions for each of the next five financial years.

In addition, they must prepare Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plans and update them every three years.

EPA licensed facilities that are covered by the Safeguard Mechanism must submit these plans by the end of next March, with other facilities required to do so by the end of August, 2027.

Grants will be available to help some licensees comply.

The NSW EPA has released a consultation report summarising responses it received when it was consulting on the new climate change measures.

The EPA said many EPA licensees questioned the need for a state framework, given that NGER and the Safeguard operate at the federal level.

But the Safeguard and NGER "serve different purposes", the EPA says.

"They do not require facilities to demonstrate how climate change risks are being managed at the site or activity level, nor do they require planning for onsite abatement," it says.

"In particular, the Safeguard Mechanism allows compliance through a range of mechanisms, including the purchase of offsets and credits, and does not require facilities to prioritise onsite emissions reduction opportunities."

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has approved Iberdrola's 270MW/1,080MWh Kingswood large battery, which will be located near Tamworth.

The battery will have the capacity to supply electricity to about 108,000 homes at peak consumption times.

The NSW Natural Resources Commission has provided two reports to Premier Chris Minns on options to better protect critically endangered ecological communities and non-woody vegetation.

One of the reports focuses on options to strengthen the management and protection of critically endangered ecological communities under the NSW Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018.

The terms of reference required this report to look at potential mechanisms to support and incentivise landholders to protect, restore and improve these ecological communities.

Neither report has yet been made public.

In the NSW Northern Rivers region, 10 more homes currently located in high-risk floodplain areas were auctioned in Murwillumbah last week, with successful bidders picking up houses for between $100 and $100,000.

The NSW government will pay for the homes to be relocated to sites owned by the purchasers.

One hundred and fifty buyback properties have now been offered for sale in the Northern Rivers since December 2024. Another auction will be held in April.

ACT

ACT Climate Change Minister Suzanne Orr has told the Legislative Assembly that the ACT narrowly missed its 2025 emissions reduction target mainly because of a changed methodology for estimating land use emissions.

Land use emissions are a sink in the ACT, the Minister said.

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury has recommended several measures to the Legislative Assembly for inclusion in the new ACT climate strategy that is under development.

His motion, which called on the government to consider the recommended policies and actions was end,orsed by the Assembly.

The consultation phase for the new strategy ended last week.

VICTORIA

Sustainability Victoria will close permanently on June 30, and most of its work programs will be wound down, the agency has confirmed.

The closure is in line with a recommendation in an independent review of the Victorian Public Service.

"A limited number of activities delivered by Sustainability Victoria will transfer to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action," the agency said. 

Parliament has passed a Bill that empowers the state's Energy Minister to order gas pipeline owners to undertake works, such as expansion works, to maintain gas supply.

Before issuing an order, the minister would need to consult the Premier, the Treasurer, the Australian Energy Market Operator, and the affected pipeline owner.

Both the Coalition and the Greens unsuccessfully moved amendments, although neither ultimately opposed the Bill.

The Coalition unsuccessfully sought amendments to require consultation with the Australian Energy Regulator and to improve transparency, and warned it gave the Minister "extraordinary powers".

The Greens unsuccessfully sought amendments to "add a climate guardrail" to the Bill, and to require gas companies to prepare transition plans.

In debate on Victoria's gas pipeline Bill, the government revealed that in February Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio wrote to the state's gas distribution businesses notifying them of her intent to attach new conditions to their licences.

The proposed new licence conditions will require these businesses to publish relevant data on how gas use is changing across their networks.

The data will assist in understanding how gas use is changing in Victoria over time and across regions "to understand trends, track the transition and to inform government policy", Planning Minister Ingrid Stitt said.

The Victorian government has gazetted new geothermal energy regulations, which replace regulations that dated from 2006.

Information on Victoria's geothermal resources can be found here.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The returned Labor government made few formal new climate and environmental policy statements in the election campaign.

According to the ABC election tracker, Labor pledged $19.2 million to increase biodiversity and protect native and threatened species across the state.

It will also create a new SA Gas & Water Trust that encompasses SA Water, industrial water projects, and the planned State Strategic Gas Reserve.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The WA Legislative Council has passed a Bill that significantly amends the state agreement applying to the Griffin Coal Mining Company's operations in Collie.

The Bill allows the company to continue mining for longer, and gives the government greater oversight and control of Griffin's operations.

It also allows for the mining operations to be transferred to a state agency, if the agreement terminates or expires, and it amends site rehabilitation provisions.

The Bill is now before the Legislative Assembly.

The WA government received 22 responses for stage 1 of the expression of interest process to build a Vanadium Battery Energy Storage System in Kalgoorlie.

The preferred proponent will be announced in mid-2026, and the 50MW/500MWh VBESS is expected to start commercial operations in 2029.

The state government will provide $150 million to support the construction of the battery, which will be the largest of its type in Australia.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory government has introduced a pipelines and petroleum amendment Bill to facilitate industry development.

Mines and Energy Minister Gerard Maley told the NT Assembly that the Bill would enable the transmission of CO2 through all licenced pipelines, and would provide for the transmission of hydrogen.

This is critical for offshore carbon capture and storage projects being developed by Santos, INPEX and Vopak, he said.

"Carbon capture and storage is a priority for the NT," Maley said.

Licensing changes contained in the Bill will "accelerate and diversify" the development of the Territory's unconventional shale gas resources, including the Beetaloo Basin, he added.

The Assembly's Legislative Scrutiny Committee will report on the Bill by April 30.

Minister Gerard Maley also introduced the Mineral Titles Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, describing at as the most substantial modernisation of the Territory's mineral titles framework since the original Act was introduced in 2010. 

The Bill also amends the Environment Protection Act so that the NT government can make a claim on bonds or securities provided by mining companies to carry out rehabilitation works.

Currently, the NT government must complete any rehabilitation works it carries out, before it can make such a claim.

The Assembly's Legislative Scrutiny Committee will report on the Bill by April 30.